Wickedness
condemn.”
After רָעַע (rāʿaʿ) and related terms, the רָשַׁע (rāšaʿ) word group is the most common for describing evil and wickedness in the OT. Unlike rāʿaʿ, rāšaʿ has a fairly narrow range of meaning, almost always referring to morally bad actions, guilt, and intent to harm. It appears frequently in Wisdom literature in contrasts between the righteous and the wicked (Prov 10:3; 12:26).
רָשָׁע (rāšāʿ). adj. wicked, guilty. Describes one who is guilty of crimes or sins or whose behavior is characterized by wickedness.
The use of rāšāʿ to describe a person or activity indicates that the person’s guilt is certain or that the behavior in question has unquestionably been established as wrong. The term appears in ethical teaching about people who resist obeying the laws (civil or religious) or who oppose God’s standard for righteous or good behavior (Deut 25:2; Ezek 3:18; Prov 17:23; Mal 3:18).
רֶשַׁע (rešaʿ). n. masc. wickedness. Refers to evil and wicked behavior, often in contrast with righteousness.
The book of Ecclesiastes laments the prevalence of wickedness in the world instead of justice and righteousness (Eccl 3:16). Wickedness is associated with violence and sin (Prov 4:17; Deut 9:27; Jer 14:20). The psalmist indicates that one quality of a good king is that he loves righteousness and hates wickedness (rešaʿ; Psa 45:7).
רִשְׁעָה (rišʿâ). n. fem. wickedness, guilt. Refers to evil and wicked behavior, often in contrast with righteousness.
This form of the word is used less frequently but in much the same way as rešaʿ or rāšāʿ, to indicate wicked behavior or guilt that has already been demonstrated. In Deuteronomy 25:2, the guilty man is punished in proportion to his “guilt” (rišʿâ). Proverbs 13:6 uses the word for the same contrast between wickedness and righteousness. Wickedness is behavior or attitudes that are not aligned with God’s righteousness, so evil and wickedness are also considered sin (Ezek 33:12).
